- How to Weatherproof Doors and Windows
- How to Save Energy in Winter
- How to Check and Seal Your Home Windows
- How to Repair Windows
- How to Save Energy and Money with Energy Star Upgrades
- How to Replace Home Windows
The examination, assessment and sealing of the windows in your home needn’t be too much of a mammoth task if it is thought out properly first and the correct tools are used for the job. This is a job that shouldn’t normally take more than a couple of hours to complete. Not too difficult either if planned out first, and it won’t actually cost you much; probably somewhere between $10-$20 dollars, depending on the extent of the job and the materials needed, but certainly not too expensive. There are three main things to do when checking and sealing your own windows at home.
Firstly, the degree of air that is flowing through the closed window needs to be assessed. The old tried and tested lit candle technique works as well as any on this one: look for any signs of a draught, which can be noticed through the movement of the flame. This will allow you to determine the direction and the extent of the intruding draught. It is also wise to take a look at the caulk area on the outside of the offending window and frame, trying to identify any cracks, gaps or small holes. The caulking will need to be re-done if a large number of cracks or crevices are detected.
The next logical step in the process is to remove any old, damaged or weather-ravaged caulking. It is possible to buy softening chemicals or solutions designed specifically for this process, which are normally administered to the area a couple of hours or so before attempting the removal. The old caulking is generally not that difficult to remove once the softener has taken effect, and although special tools are available for this task, a standard putty knife should suffice here unless the caulking turns out to be particularly stubborn. It is always wise to bear in mind that when fitting the new caulk in order to attain an improved seal of the window, it is better to try and remove as much of the old material and residue as possible.
Now it is time to apply the new caulking. A caulk gun will be required for this task, along with the polyurethane caulk, which is suitable for all sizes of cracks and gaps. One tube of polyurethane caulk should easily be enough to complete the task for the whole window. Firstly, the tip of the tube should be severed at an angle of 45-degrees in order to ensure smooth entrance into the seam of the window, then the tube loaded into the caulking gun. Next have one last check of the area at hand to make sure that there is no debris and that the surface is as clear and clean as possible. The caulk now needs to be administered smoothly and directly along the seam of the window, ensuring that enough of the polyurethane solution can fill the larger areas that require filling. It is a good idea to smooth out the surface of the caulk that has been applied. This can be done with any of the special smoothing tools that are available today, or even a piece of strong card if you prefer to stick with the budget DIY ethic. Your finger would probably do just as good a job of the smoothing too, as long as a good finish is achieved.
Usually after a period of twelve hours or so the caulk that you have applied should be dry; check that it has completely set, and when you are happy that this is the case you may consider that your windows are now once again airtight.
Just remember that it’s important to follow the above steps to the letter and ensure you do everything just right. One mistake will see all your efforts come to nothing! For a faultless job done right, with minimum hassle and minimum expense, why not call in the experts at Quality Home Improvement.
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